Whether you’re in the Capital Region or the Adirondacks, mud can be slippery, so it’s important to wear shoes with good traction and watch your step. This stock image shows boots of a backpacker walking through mud, West Coast Trail, Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada.

After I wrote my last column about walking in the Lisha Kill Natural Area in Niskayuna, a reader emailed to chastise me: the Lisha Kill is closed during mud season (from late February through early May, according to the web site). That’s when the steep trails there are most likely to be wet and muddy, and most at risk of erosion damage.

Oops.

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In addition to regular staff, the Mohawk Hudson Land Conservancy has more than 200 volunteers that help maintain its trails – from members of the trail team to preserve stewards. On Saturday, April 19, volunteers will gather at Bender Melon Farm Preserve to celebrate Earth Day, clean up garbage and construct picnic areas. Learn more or register at https://www.mohawkhudson.org/volunteer-events.

In my defense, the ground........

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